The Business Connection

Board of Directors

Chair of the Board

*Tim McCabe

League School for Autism

Past Chair of the Board

*Julie Molloy

Compass Real Estate

President/CEO

*Thomas O'Rourke

Neponset River Regional Chamber

Kenneth Berman

Kenneth Berman Photography

Eric Cappellano

Bank of Canton

Mary Chetwynd

Rockland Trust

Andrea Cincotta

Gray, Gray & Gray, LLP

Lisa Corrigan

South Shore Staffing

Erin Hooker-Thomas, Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane

Bill Kearns

Cullen, Murphy & Co., P.C.

*Suzanne Kelly

Legacy Place

*Michael Kennedy

OneLocal

Michelle Lloret

Fairfield Inn & Suites

Brian Moroney

Schlossberg, LLC

Scott Richards

Dedham Savings

Jill Rossetti

Blue Hills Regional Technical High School

Shonda Sumpter

Mass General Brigham Healthcare Center

*Tricia White

T. White Creations

Nicole Zea

CertainTeed

*Member of the Executive Committee

Chamber Urges No Votes on Questions 2 and 5

Question 2 will eliminate MCAS as a requirement for high school graduation. This misguided ballot initiative that will make Massachusetts' school systems unfair and increase inequality by eliminating our only statewide education standard.

A statewide graduation requirement ensures that students meet minimum standards before graduating. Abandoning students who need extra help by giving them diplomas and sending them on their way would negatively impact kids for the rest of their lives. Instead of dropping standards, as proponents advocate, we should do the hard work to lift students to ensure that every child receives the excellent education they are entitled to before graduating.

Click here to learn how this harms MA students.

Question 5 will change the way tipped servers are compensated. Currently every worker in Massachusetts is already guaranteed to earn at least the current minimum wage of $15 including tipped employees. If, after wages and tips, an employee does not earn $15 per hour, the employer must pay the difference.

The proposed changes will increase the cost of doing business for restaurants significantly, reduce the earnings of servers and increase the cost of dining out.

Click here to learn more about the Tip Pooling Ballot Question that will be in front of voters on November 5.

Best,

Tom O'Rourke

President and CEO

Welcome New Members!

Casey Tech Solutions

Pearl Realty Associates, LLC

ChamberTalks; Housing, Jobs and More...

ChamberTalks speakers touched on a number of timely issues last week including outmigration, the impact of new migrants, housing, changing education/work demographics and the need for skilled trades workers.

The Chamber is grateful to our speakers, moderator Rob Ferrini, Grazina Event Space and our sponsors.

View photo gallery here - Matt McKee Photography

View video here - Norwood Media

An Update from the MA DOR:

Tax Amnesty Period to Run from November 1 to December 30, 2024

A 60-day tax amnesty was authorized in the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Act.

The tax amnesty will begin on November 1, 2024, and end on December 30, 2024. DOR will waive most penalties for eligible taxpayers who submit an online request for amnesty, file outstanding returns, and pay tax and interest owed.

Please stay tuned to the Tax Amnesty webpage, which will be updated regularly (including additional FAQs) with more information. Links to video tutorials on how to complete the process, and to access the form to request amnesty will be available from the webpage by November 1.

Chamber Mourns Loss of Two Former Board Members

Sharon Fradkin passed away on October 11, 2024 at the age of 80.

Sharon and her husband Steve owned the Wizard of Adz advertising agency for many years. During that time they were both extremely active members of the Chamber, serving on the board of directors and as chair of the board.

Sharon was also active on many other committees within the Chamber and a powerful advocate for the Chamber and local business.

Her community involvement extended beyond the Chamber to the League of Women Voter's, the Stoughton Public Library and much more.

Obituary

Will Krasnow passed away on October 2, 2024 at the age of 79.

Will was an attorney with the firm of Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete in Boston.

He served on the Chamber board of director's for many years. He was also active in the Chamber's Attorney Alliance and a founding member of the Human Resources Alliance, where he organized many HR seminars to assist small businesses to comply with ever-changing employment law.

Will was active in many civic endeavors and was a Town Meeting member in Norwood as well as a member of the town's personnel board and Housing Authority.

Obituary

Thank You! The following members have renewed their membership with the NRR Chamber

Compliance+ Security

Deiratani Designs

Keller Williams Boston Southwest

Meantide Associates

Minuteman Press Canton

South Shore Staffing

Supreme Development

Y D Autobody

Annual Awards Nominations Open

Our Annual Awards nomination period has just opened. This is your opportunity to let us know who you think deserves recognition for their service to the community at our Annual Meeting in January.

Award categories include; Small and Large Business of the Year, Business Person of the Year and Volunteer of the Year. You can download the nomination form here.

Member Promotion

Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) Update

Important Annual Updates

On October 1, 2024, DFML released important information regarding the contribution amounts that need to be remitted by eligible employees and employers beginning on January 1, 2025. Revised notices regarding the rate change will need to be distributed to all employees and eligible 1099-Misc workers prior to January 1, 2025. Updated rate sheets will be available on Department of Family and Medical Leave at a future date. In addition, DFML will also be releasing the 2025 Workplace Poster, which will need to be posted in accordance with the employer's company policy on mandatory workforce posters.

Updated: The PFML 2025 Maximum Weekly Benefit Amount is $1,170.64.

Updated: DFML released the PFML 2025 Employer Contribution Rates rates for both employers with fewer than 25 eligible workers and employers with 25 or more eligible workers.

New: DFML released the 2024 PFML Annual Report detailing information about program activity during 2024 fiscal year.

Member Benefit of the Month

Ribbon Cuttings

A ribbon cutting ceremony is a fantastic way to launch a new business or renovation to an existing business. You'll enjoy the benefit of press releases, NRRC website exposure, and the opportunity to meet other NRRC members.

To learn more about hosting a ribbon cutting click here.

Neponset River Regional Chamber | www.nrrchamber.com